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It is a pretty miserable night for rugby at the RDS.
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Leinster vs Edinburgh, Guinness Pro12

All eyes are on Ben Te’o as he wears the famous 13 jersey for the first time.

HELLO AND WELCOME to our Leinster vs Edinburgh liveblog live from the RDS. Both sides are shorn of their internationals but there are still some intriguing sub-plots to keep your attention – Ben Te’o’ senior debut for Leinster being one.

Kevin McLaughlin returns from injury to captain Leinster against an Edinburgh side who have struggled for form since beating Munster at Thomond Park on the opening day.

Hello and welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of Leinster’s Pro12 clash with Edinburgh live at the RDS. It is Halloween night but will Edinburgh be able to scare Leinster? (Sorry)

Here are the teams for tonight:

Leinster: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Darragh Fanning, 13 Ben Te’o, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Luke Fitzgerald , 10 Jimmy Gopperth , 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin (c), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Tom Denton, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Michael Bent
Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Peter Dooley, 19 Ben Marshall, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Steve Crosbie, 23 Mick McGrath

Edinburgh: 15 Nick McLennan, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Joaquin Dominguez, 12 Andries Strauss (capt), 11 Tim Visser, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 8 David Denton, 7 Tomas Leonardi, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Jack Turley, 4 Ben Toolie, 3 Willem Nel, 2 James Hilterbrand, 1 Allan Dell.
Replacements: 16 Jake Kerr, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 John Andres, 19 Jamie Ritchie, 20 George Turner, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Jack Cuthbert.

The conditions are poor at the RDS tonight. There is a great deal of rain coming down so less than ideal weather for Ben Te’o to make his Leinster debut.

Here’s Leo Cullen looking over the warm-up.

Leinster are piping some horror movie sound effects into the ground. Not going to lie, it is a little unnerving.

Based on the few nice touches Ben Te’o has already had in the warm-up, I think it is safe to say he will be like Sonny Bill Williams with Jason Robinson’s adjustment time.

According to Edinburgh. they are missing 18 players through injury. That makes Leinster’s crisis look minor.

If you are a Leinster fan, you have to like the look of tonight’s backline. No D’Arcy or Madigan, but Te’o and Reid are quality replacements to have.

Alan Solomans has already steered Edinburgh to a win in Thomond Park this season, what are the chances he does it again up in Dublin?

Lots of fans have dressed up and fair play to them. I wouldn’t be out in this weather without a big coat but I’ve already seen two smurfs and a few ghouls.

So Leinster fans, what are you expecting tonight? After looking through the two teams, you would think Leinster are just thinking ‘bonus point’.

It will be interesting to see how Tadhg Furlong goes at tighthead prop. Joe Schmidt mentioned him as a possible Ireland call-up during the week.

TG4 are on tonight’s game. Do people like listening to rugby as gaeilge? It’s a massive pet peeve of some.

Leinster manager Guy Easterby just walked into the press room.

FUN FACT: In Ronan O’Gara’s autobiography he says that Easterby’s party piece was leaving a pub fully clothed and returning moments later completely naked carrying all of his neatly folded clothes.

Personally, I think you should just go with a song.

Michael Bent is back at loosehead after deputising at tight against Castres. What have people made of his recent performances? He held his own against Wasps but looked a little outclassed against Castres.

This photo gives you an idea of the conditions, which unfortunately seem to be getting more atrocious by the minute.

Controversial choice for Leinster to show the line-ups on the last page of the program instead of on the middle page. Some traditions should just never be challenged and this is one of them.

Big opportunity for Luke McGrath at scrum-half tonight. He seemed to fall out a favour a little after a couple of mistakes late on against Connacht, but with Reddan and Boss the wrong side of 30, McGrath could be moved into the first XV sooner rather than later with some good showings.

Tony McGahan threw Conor Murray into the team in a similar situation, so the precedent is there.

The Leinster team just finished their warm-up and we are about 20 minutes to kick-off now.

There is a nice atmosphere developing at the RDS now. Leinster are out on the field and there are fireworks going off in the background.

Sorry about the brief delay, folks. Some wifi issues at the RDS – felt like I was back in the days of dial-up connections!

What would Leinster fans conisder a success with Ben Te’o? On a scale of Lote Tuqiri-Rocky Elsom?

Leo the Lion is on the centre circle bloodied, bandaged but unbowed. Leinster are coming onto the pitch and we are about 5 mins away from kick-off.

Kevin McLaughlin said earlier in the week that he thinks Jack Conan could succeed Jamie Heaslip as Leinster’s no 8. No pressure, Jack. What have you all made of him so far this season?

You have to feel for the fans in the north and south stands. They are getting absolutely drenched. Is it just me or does it always seem to rain when Edinburgh come to town?

Nigel Owens blows his whistle and we are underway!

First high ball of the game is claimed emphatically by Kirchner. He had a strong outing in Castres and has started well here too.

A bit of kick tennis develops as the two teams try to test each others handling in the poor conditions but Jimmy Gopperth catches one ball and jinks past a couple of defenders before being stopped.

Luke Fitzgerald breaks towards the 22 and offloads excellently to Gopperth who in turn feeds Furlong with an inside ball. Edinburgh get penalised at the resulting ruck and Leinster have a lineout on the 5m line.

TRY LEINSTER! Leinster 5-0 Edinburgh

Dominic Ryan crashes over off the back of a powerful Leinster maul.

Leinster clear to touch from the restart and Edinburgh have a lineout on the 22.

Luke McGrath hoists a box kick on the Leinster 22 but Kirchner knocks on. The South African was clattered in the process too.

Tim Visser takes the ball strongly to the line off first phase but after a couple of recycles Jack Conan wins a turnover penalty. Already looking like Heaslip 2.0.

Leinster have a lineout right on halfway.

A first touch for Ben Te’o in midfield but he is tackled hard by Joaquin Dominguez.

Moments later, Noel Reid slips a tackle in midfield and Leinster have the ball just outside the Edinburgh 22.

A lovely chip over the defence is gathered by Kirchner. Fitzgerald almost goes over in the corner but Leinster still retain possession 10m out.

TRY LEINSTER! Leinster 12-0 Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s defence gets sucked into the breakdown and Conan shrugs off a tackle to power over from about 5m out. Gopperth makes up for his ugly first conversion by nailing the second.

Leinster go offside a couple of phases after the kick-off and Tom Heathcote will go for the posts from the 10m line in a central position.

Poor miss by Heathcote as he pushes it to the right and wide.

Edinburgh are going through their first bit of sustained possession all game but just as they begin to get some momentum, a loose pass is thrown and Leinster have a scrum on their own 10m line.

That’s a quick debut for Ben Te’o. There didn’t appear to be anything serious but he must have taken a knock because Steve Crosbie is on for the Australian.

So Ben Te’o has apparently injured his arm when he took that tough tackle in his only carry of the game. Very disappointing news for Leinster.

Edinburgh have a penalty in front of the posts just inside the Leinster 22. Heathcote will once again try to get his side on the board.

Penalty Edinburgh! Leinster 12-3 Edinburgh

Heathcote makes no mistake this time and the gap is cut to nine.

Noel Reid is out to 13 with Crosbie at 12 as Leinster try to play their way into the Edinburgh half after a scrum. Fanning takes the ball into contact on halfway but knocks on.

Tim Visser makes some yardage down the left wing around the halfway line but he is eventually stopped by Fanning. Then Heathcote makes a half-break and Leinster knock on when trying to dislodge the ball. Edinburgh have a scrum on the Leinster 10m line in the centre of the pitch.

Edinburgh have moved into the Leinster 22 after some good carries before Bent is lucky not to be penalised for a fairly blatant offside.

Bent wasn’t so lucky the second time and Heathcote will try to narrow the gap even further.

Heathcote shanks it VERY badly. Two very poor misses from the ten – otherwise Edinburgh would be right in this.

More bad news for Leinster as their other Australian import, Kane Douglas, goes off holding his arm. Ben Marshall is on.

Leinster move into the Edinburgh half for the first time in awhile and the crowd is demanding action after Dominguez takes Reid high. Owens waves play on and McGrath kicks long.

Edinburgh kick back to Leinster and McGrath snipes up to Ednburgh’s 10m line. That’s followed by a lovely crosskick by Gopperth that results in an Edinburgh lineout on their own 5m line.

Scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne clears and now it is Leinster’s lineout just inside the 22.

Conan and Ruddock carry powerfully to give Leinster a nice platform 10m out.

McGrath throws a delicious blind pass behind his back that almost results in Furlong burrowing over. Eventually they go wide and Crosbie knocks on.

Greig Tonks clears and Leinster have a lineout just outside their own 22. Last play of the half coming up.

HT Leinster 12-3 Edinburgh

Leinster started well with tries from Ryan and Conan but since then they haven’t been able to create much. The injury to Te’o and Douglas will make O’Connor think what he has done to anger the rugby gods.

More minute-by-minute action coming right up.

We are off in the second half!

Tadhg Furlong has been very good for Leinster and he just put in a huge tackle to start the second half.

A delicate chip from Greig Tonks is almost claimed by David Denton but Luke McGrath is covering on the right wing and he clears up to halfway.

A bouncing high ball then falls kindly for Noel Reid on the right wing and he grubbers the ball into the Edinburgh 22 where it goes into touch.

Dominic Ryan tries to pilfer the lineout but knocks on and Edinburgh have a scrum in their own 22.

A fan has just caught a kick perfectly and gets a rousing cheer from the stand. Best piece of action since the first 20 minutes, really.

A loose kick is fielded by Fanning and he gives Kirchner the perfect opportunity to counter on the halfway line. Strangely, the South African opts to run into traffic rather than spread the ball wide and the chance is gone.

A Heathcote bomb is caught by Luke Fitzgerald and then it is just like the old days – he jinks past a few defenders with those dancing feet and the crowd roar. Edinburgh then get penalised for slowing the ball down just inside their own half and Gopperth will go for the corner.

Gopperth’s penalty is sloppily kicked out on the full and Edinburgh have a scrum around halfway.

Free kick Leinster after an early shove by Edinburgh.

Edinburgh captain Andries Strauss did really well to poach the ball just outside his own 22 but Edinburgh knock on and Leinster are march towards the Edinburgh line.

Jimmy Gopperth tries to recreate the try Darragh Fanning scored against Wasps but his chip is carried into touch by Visser 5m out.

Leinster think they’ve scored after Ryan steals the lineout but Nigel Owens hadn’t blown his whistle. Leinster then win a penalty and Gopperth kicks to touch 5m out.

TRY LEINSTER! Leinster 19-3 Edinburgh

Same formula as the first try – Leinster rumble to the line with a strong maul and Ryan gets the score again. Gopperth curls the conversion in from the right beautifully.

McGrath kicks out on the full from the kick-off and Edinburgh have a lineout on the 22.

Edinburgh try to copy Leinster and get a maul going but Leinster hold it up over the line. Scrum on the 5m line to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh get another penalty after Leinster go offside and they go for touch this time. 5m out again.

Massive tackle by Fanning on his own line after Strauss held onto it a fraction too long. Leinster clear and now have the ball on halfway.

Furlong hits a ruck and sees McGrath isn’t around so fires a lovely spin pass out to Kirchner on the wing. Furlong has had a very industrious game for Leinster.

Isaac Boss is on for Luke McGrath, who had a very fine game.

TRY LEINSTER! Leinster 26-3 Edinburgh

Isaac Boss offloads to Tom Denton who gets tackled at the 5m line. As the second row falls, he pops an excellent pass to the trailing Ben Marshall who dives over. Gopperth converts from the left touchline.

Leinster might have a huge lead but from the hits being put in by Ruddock and Ryan in midfield you wouldn’t know it. They are smashing back the Edinburgh ball carriers.

Brian and Ed Byrne are on for Strauss and Furlong. Furlong had a strong outing for Leinster as he tries to force himself into the national set-up.

Immediately the front row substitutes pay dividend as Leinster power forward at a scrum on halfway, allowing them to launch an attack. Gopperth floats a lovely skip pass outside to Reid but the move breaks down when Fitzgerald knocks on with acres of space in front of him.

Edinburgh have now completely emptied their bench and Leinster only have Peter Dooley in reserve as Dan Leavy and Mick McGrath replace Dominic Ryan and Noel Reid.

Michael Bent has switched to tighthead since Byrne came on but that hasn’t stopped Leinster from winnning their second consecutive scrum penalty. They have a lineout on the Edinburgh 22.

Edinburgh defend will though and pilfer the ball. They clear and then Leinster put the ball into touch at their own ten metre line.

Edinburgh’s Ben Toolis just had a nasty fall at a lineout and is receiving treatment.

Leinster are penalised for taking the man out in the air and Edinburgh have a maul going towards the Leinster line.

Leinster are still defending as if their lives depended on it as they force a turnover 5m from their line after a big tackle from Fitzgerald.

TRY EDINBURGH! Leinster 26-8 Edinburgh

Greig Tonks counters well from a Leinster kick and after Dave Denton is hauled down short of the line, Tomas Leonardi is on hand to take the offload and go over.

Peter Dooley is on for the injured Ed Byrne while Dominic Ryan has just been announced as the man of the match.

TRY LEINSTER! Leinster 33-8 Edinburgh

Luke Fitzgerald cuts a beautiful line in midfield just outsisde the 22 and when he is stopped just short of the line he throws a pass to the grateful Mick McGrath to run in an easy score.

FT Leinster 33-8 Edinburgh

It’s all over at the RDS and that Mick McGrath try was our final bit of action. Matt O’Connor will be happy with a bonus point victory but his joy will be severely tempered by the fact that Ben Te’o and Kane Douglas left the field with injuries. Ultimately, it was that early two-try barrage from the forwards that set the tone for a comfortable Leinster win.

Thanks for joining us for our minute-by-minute coverage at the RDS, join us again soon for some more live coverage of your favourites teams!

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